Work begins on temporary bridge

Officials hope to reopen highway by the end of the week

By CHARLOTTE BURROUS burrousc@ canoncitydailyrecord.com

Posted:
08/13/2012 09:36:59 PM MDT

Crews began work on a temporary bridge Saturday at Mile Marker 5 on Colo. 67 between Florence and Wetmore after a flash flood Aug. 1 may have contributed to the structure sinking about five feet below the surface, according to officials from Colorado Department of Transportation.

"We have a contractor onboard," said public relations director Bob Wilson. "They've been given a notice to precede. They started work there on Saturday on working a detour."

He said the bridge had been built out of timbers in 1952 so it's an older bridge, but he anticipated the highway would be open by the end of the week.

"The good news is initially we thought the detour would only be one lane, but it's actually going to be two lanes," Wilson said. "The speed will still be reduced, but at least, traffic won't be stopped by a signal or anything like that. There will still be free flowing traffic through that area with a two lane detour."

After the detour is up and running, CDOT will start the process of getting a contractor on board to actually build the bridge, he said.

Traffic can access areas north of the bridge on U.S. 50 to Pueblo then access areas south of the bridge, on Colo. 96, points west of Wetmore and Colo. 69.